Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Poliwhirl
Say it: PO-li-whi-rl
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Poliwhirl is the Tadpole Pokémon — Water middle stage between Poliwag and Poliwrath/Politoed. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to the finals — not a finished raid attacker. Water helps against Fire, Ground, and Rock; Grass and Electric hit Water hard. Evolve Poliwag, then choose Water Stone (Poliwrath) or King’s Rock trade (Politoed).
Say it: PO-li-whi-rl
Poliwhirl (#061) is a Water Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the middle evolution of Poliwag. Trainers almost never power Poliwhirl for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Poliwrath or Politoed. Against Poliwhirl, lead with Grass or Electric. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Poliwhirl is a Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0061. Use the Water type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Poliwhirl. Keep high-IV copies for Poliwrath or Politoed. Shadow Poliwhirl is the same — evolve after Frustration removal.
Type matchups
- Water moves hit Fire, Ground, and Rock hard.
When Poliwhirl is your opponent, Electric, Grass hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 130
- Defense
- 123
- Stamina
- 163
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 2. Shadow Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 3. Shadow Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Xurkitree · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 5. Therian Thundurus · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 6. Mega Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 7. Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 8. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 9. Shadow Electabuzz · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunder Punch
- 10. Zapdos · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 11. Magnezone · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 12. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 2. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 3. Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Jolteon · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 5. Ampharos · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Zap Cannon
- 6. Zebstrika · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 7. Galvantula · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Discharge
- 8. Eelektross · beats Electric
Spark + Thunderbolt
- 9. Heliolisk · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 10. Stunfisk · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 11. Raichu · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 12. Magneton · beats Electric
Spark + Discharge
Recommended moves
Poliwhirl’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Poliwrath or Politoed — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Bubble · Standard
Water energy
- Mud Shot · Standard
Ground energy
Charged
- Water Pulse · Standard
Water nuke
- Bubble Beam · Standard
Water alternate
- Mud Bomb · Standard
Ground coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- bubble
- mud shot
Charged
- water pulse
- mud bomb
- bubble beam
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #123 of 954 · CP 1492
Mud Shot + Water Pulse
- Ultra League · rank #607 of 747 · CP 1604
Mud Shot + Water Pulse
- Master League · rank #592 of 1023 · CP 1604
Mud Shot + Water Pulse
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.